There is only 4mm difference in width between my new mock up and my old one. Like you say it's hard to gauge from the actors hands. I've gone up a pipe size with the rear tube making that 4mm bigger all-round. That's makes a difference visually.

Here's a short of Dallas firing down. Its definitely not a slim unit!

With all the detail on the sides and then the tanks, it gets even wider and heavier!

Agreed, but as you have pointed out in your research, what if one was fonctional and the other was?

Wouldn't that be a difference in thickness also? (just typing out-loud Colin ). To differenciate between the two weapon (maybe that's why one is with the hole in the front trigger and not in the other...I mean you don't want someone to accidentally fire that baby around the set

Nope, it's part of a plastic palette to transport some kind of merchandise (I'm afraid I don't know what kind ) I've seen a version like it in Coca-Cola trucks delivering the cola in those big pressured cylinders to restaurants and bars.

Time for an overdue update on the flamethrower. Finally have a bit of time to post ...Where did those past seven weeks go!

Last time I had pretty much finished my new plans. I just needed to make a decision on the width. As joberg had suggested I was probably closer with my fist attempt.

However shortly after I posted my last update Harry Harris sent me some photographs he'd taken of an Alien flamethrower at an auction around 2000. It looks like the one the Propstore own.

With Harry's permission here are a few of those photographs.

Not only did Harry take these photographs but he also took some measurements off the prop. So armed with this new information I have yet again redrawn my plans.

My last attempt was pretty close and I don't think you would really notice much difference.

Width wise I was closer with my first attempt. Which is good as I thought it was getting too wide. Especially when you add the details to the sides.

On the Propstore photo's (on their site), I had noticed a channel on the underside of the body but I couldn't figure it out. But now with Harry's photo's I can see there is a steel structure which the body is built around.

Here's my interpretation of how it might look.

So the rear tube (steel) is welded to a steel strip. The Aluminium grips are bolted to the strip. The hex bar (steel/brass) is welded, blazed or bolted to the steel strip. It then looks like the bolts on the top of the unit could be holding it all together with some internal spacers!

Also note on Harry's photos the grips are not in the centre of the body (in front elevation) but offset to one side.

I started looking in to what the fuel canister (in the rear tube) and the control valve could be. I plan to make it with these on. Making the fuel canister detachable.

I have a blowtorch with a similar valve fitting which fits the bill.

The can I have for it is a disposable can. I think what's needed is a more heaven duty can like these modern propane cans.

Trouble is these have a larger thread.

Now I've managed to get hold of a refillable 'Primus' canister which are more heavy duty and around in the period the film was made (I think). Typically they have a different fitting again.

There are a few different designs. I think the one I got looks close with the flared end.

What I need to find is a Primus valve fitting with a plastic knob like this one. Most of the ones I've seen are all metal.

I missed out on these on eBay recently.

Finally I was also looking for metal fittings for the strap and came across these boat fitting.

All this metal including the scuba tanks will add to the weight. Good in some respects but bad in others!

Looking very good Colin (and also a tx to Harry Harris). Since your advantage is to live in the U.K., you're bound to find the stuff they used on the original prop and that makes it more accurate in the end.

I don't need to say that you'll have to keep up the good work, since all your props are always A+.

Fred, the Wired video was definitely worth a look.
Bit out of my price range (might make my own). A lot of money for something that has lost a lot of detail over the years. Given the choice would I take the flamethrower or the bullwhip!

Fred, the Wired video was definitely worth a look.
Bit out of my price range (might make my own). A lot of money for something that has lost a lot of detail over the years. Given the choice would I take the flamethrower or the bullwhip!

Colin

With that amount of money I'd add a couple of (large) rooms to my house instead !!!

Here's an image of Ripley where you can see the Pat Lowery details match.

What does all this mean?

Well nothing really.

The Propstore flamethrower is the screen used one but has some details replaced. Most notably the pony tank and yoke. But the style of yoke on the Propstore's is the same as the ones used in publicity shots with Sigourney weaver. This item was non functional (dressing) so easily replaceable.

So whats happening with my build?

Well I haven't started building yet but I managed to win a pony tank on eBay last weekend. Very similar to the one in Pat Lowery's photo. It matched up really well size wise on my drawings. So I was on the right lines.

When following up my search to find a valve to fit my propane can. I discovered that Primus is linked to a Swedish company called Sievert, who make gas torches and burners etc.

So I need one of these. I think!!

While looking at the Alien Makers documentaries on Dennis Lowe's site I came across an interview with Nick Allder. In the interview he produces a wedge shaped cooker lighter that was used as the pilot flame igniter on the flamethrower. It's distinctive shape is the reason for the wedge shaped vent on the front top of the flamethrower.

I've got an order of EMA/Plastruct arriving this week which will hopefully signal the start of some building.

I'm close to ordering the metal for my internal structure too.

The only thing I'm not doing too well on is the tubing for the rear tube and the emitter. Its possible the steel sizes I've drawn don't exist! So I'm looking at other alternatives.